Around 1,000 people visit Tyntesfield House each week

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has deferred its decision about providing cash for the restoration of the Gothic mansion near Bristol.

It says it needs more information from the trust.

HLF director Carole Souter said: "We felt there was more work to be done by the National Trust to show us how it can deliver its plans."

Tyntesfield was bought by the trust two years ago for �25m. This included a �17.5m grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

It has the same trustees as the HLF but is backed by government grants instead of lottery cash.

Historical importance

The trust says Tyntesfield, in North Somerset, is of unique historical importance and worthy of restoration.

A spokesman said officials hoped to meet with the HLF again in the next few weeks.

Fiona Reynolds, director general of the trust, said: "Our staff, members and tens of thousands of visitors and supporters are keen to resolve the outstanding questions which the HLF has raised as soon as possible."

Each week about 1,000 visitors pay �10 to admire the Gothic Revival building and its surrounding grounds.

Lord Wraxall, who died in 2001, was the last private owner of the house.

He was the great-grandson of William Gibbs, who made his fortune importing guano from Peru to be used as fertiliser.